David Jack Holt

American actor, jazz pianist, song writer, music publisher, and record producer (b. August 14, 1927 Jacksonville, Florida – d. November 15, 2003 San Juan Capistrano, California). Holt started acting in movies at the age of five, when he was billed as the "male Shirley Temple". By the early 1950s, however, his acting career had petered out. Holt turned to writing music, joining ASCAP in 1952, and became general manager and co-owner of a music publishing company, Clorvel Music in Studio City, CA. As a songwriter, Holt collaborated, among others, with Johnny Mercer, Robert Wells, Sammy Cahn, Paul Francis Webster, and Dok Stanford. His best known songs include "What Every Girl Should Know," "Anyone Can Fall in Love," and (co-written with Sammy Cahn) “The Christmas Blues." The latter was recorded by Dean Martin and included on the 1997 soundtrack of “L.A. Confidential.” Holt also composed the music for several jazz albums featuring Pete Jolly.